I-S buoyed by tradition of success

IOLA – Scott Erickson seems to run into this dilemma just about every season.

The Iola-Scandinavia football coach molds a group of talented players into a successful season — in 2013, earning a trip to Level 3 of the Division 6 playoffs.

And when I-S takes a hit through graduation losses, somehow the Thunderbirds manage to put themselves in contention for a Central Wisconsin Conference-8 championship and another visit to the playoffs.

Erickson swears he doesn't have some sort of cloning machine. He insists it's just a matter of the hard work and dedication his players are willing to put in at the weight room.

"Every year we graduate a good crop of players, and they are always missed, but each year a new group has to step up and take over the leadership role," said Erickson, coming off a 9-3 season with two of the losses to eventual state champion Shiocton.

"To make it to Level 3 of the playoffs was a good season, but we're never happy unless we make it all the way (to Madison) and walk off the field with a win (in the final game)."

That first state championship has eluded the Thunderbirds, who have reached the state finals twice. But optimism is running high, and they could make a serious run in the postseason again.

In order for that to happen, Erickson must find replacements for quarterback Nick Wavruk, who accounted for 1,671 yards through the air and another 911 yards on the ground, with a combined 33 touchdowns.

Helping to ease some of the lost production will be the return of junior running back Kristian Welch, who finished second on the team with 738 yards rushing. He averaged 8.1 yards per carry and added five touchdowns.

Cameron Gruenwald, a junior, will take over behind center and should be helped by the presence of Welch, along with Caleb Loken and Tanner Krusa, each of whom saw limited action a season ago. Evan Fuchs also should contribute.

"We have much improved speed and strength from last year, and I think overall we have as much team speed as we've ever had," Erickson said.

The coach insists that's not only true at the skill positions, but also in the trenches, where Nick Madson and Dylan Aanstad will provide the experience to help tutor Ryan Bauer, Ryan Melum and Scott Aasen, among others. Logan Inderdahl and Holdyn Mast also are expected to play key roles on both sides of the ball.

Until many of the relatively inexperienced players get a taste of full-time varsity duty, it's hard to know for certain how some of them will handle the big stage.

"The big thing is the mental side. If you have to think about what you're doing, your feet don't move," Erickson said.

That being said, Erickson is encouraged and optimistic about the chances for more success with this group.

"The potential is there, but the work has just begun," he said.

Scott A. Williams can be reached at 715-345-2282. Find him on Twitter as @SPJScottWill